There is no bad time to visit the Land of Fire & Ice! November in Iceland can truly offer something for everyone. The cold winter temps have not quite sunken in, there is still ample time for exploring, and the summer crowds are long gone. However, there are a few things that you need to be aware of before you travel. These are 5 things to expect while visiting Iceland in November!
1. November is shoulder season
“Shoulder season” are the two most wonderful words for a budget traveler to hear! Shoulder season means cheaper prices, fewer crowds, and an overall more enjoyable trip. November is the perfect time to visit Iceland for all of those reasons, as it falls after peak summer/fall crowds have left and before the dead of winter sets in. Iceland itself is not a very populated country to begin with, but this time of year will really make you feel like you can “breathe” without being bunched together with herds of other tourists.
2. Daylight is a premium
The hours of daylight in Iceland can vary drastically from the beginning of the month to the end. Regardless of when you visit, you should expect to maximize your daytime hours as best as you can! Sunrise is typically around 9:00/10:00 am, and will begin to set around 3:00 pm. Meaning, if you have a big day of exploring, you will really need to plan accordingly. If you are planning a road trip around the Golden Circle or the Ring Road, get up early so you can be on the road by the time the sun starts to rise. Map out your days to make sure you will have enough time at each stop and not feel rushed!
3. Manage your Northern Lights expectations
The Northern Lights season in Iceland runs from October-March, but the most activity is toward the middle and end of the winter. Meaning, November is juuuust shy of falling within peak viewing season. The clouds control your destiny when it comes to the Northern Lights. Only on clear nights with low cloud coverage will the lights come out! Unfortunately, each night we visited was incredibly cloudy and we were only able to see small flashes of green in the sky, instead of the dancing lights we were expecting. For your best chances, drive outside of the city to a back road where it is pitch black out. The less light pollution, the better!
4. The weather may actually be pretty mild
Maybe it’s just because I’m from New York and I am used to cold temperatures, but I found Iceland to be surprisingly mild for the Arctic Circle! Temperatures are on average around 40 degrees F, and you may not even see snow on the ground. Be warned though, weather in Iceland can change on a dime. Be prepared with hats, gloves, boots, and a warm coat even if you think you won’t need them. Make sure you pack enough layers to add more if you need- you can always take them off!
5. Plan for road closures
If you’re planning on doing any off-roading or camping, make a special intention to research your roads ahead of time. Since this is winter in the Arctic, many roads close seasonally or require special equipment. The road signs are quite intuitive (if I can figure them out, anyone can), but always a good idea to do a little homework ahead of time to make sure you understand what they all mean.
If you are planning to stay close to Reykjavik or on main roads (such as driving the Golden Circle), you likely will not have a problem with road closures.
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